Arthritis Society gives texting a thumbs-down

Postmedia News10.27.2010

The Arthritis Society is predicting a swell in the incidence of arthritis in the coming years. As the bulge of the baby-boom generation heads into its 50s — prime time for arthritis — and there’s increased interest in texting, thumbs are at risk because those digits are prone to osteoarthritis.

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The Arthritis Society is predicting a swell in the incidence of arthritis in the coming years.

“Twenty per cent of Canadians will develop arthritis in the next 20 years,” said Kelly Pierson, the education facilitator with the society’s Saskatchewan division.

As the bulge of the baby-boomer generation heads into its 50s — prime time for arthritis — and with the rising popularity of texting, thumbs are at risk because those digits are prone to osteoarthritis, Pierson said.

“I have two kids who text constantly and I really feel that overuse of the joint is abusing the joint,” Pierson said. “I think it will come back to haunt them down the road.”

About one in six Canadians 15 years and older have arthritis.

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